Army May Extend Deployments In Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (February 15, 2013)—Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno says he may be forced to extend deployments of soldiers in Afghanistan next year because budget cuts will drastically limit training for brigades that may have to replace them.

Odierno said the military will be able to fund training and operations for combat units in Afghanistan now and for those deploying in the summer and fall, but said there will be delays in training for those deploying in 2014.

He said if he can't make up the training delays he will have to send forces that aren't ready, or extend deployments of units already there.

In 2007, the Army extended the yearlong deployments to 15 months to meet Iraq war demands.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.